Exercise 37 Page 79

Equations written in slope-intercept form follow a specific format. y=mx+ b In this form, m represents the slope of the line and b represents the y-intercept. Below we highlight the slope m and y-intercept b. y=-1/2x - 3/2 ⇔ y=-1/2x+( -3/2) The slope is - 12. The y-intercept is - 32, so the graph crosses the y-axis at the point (0, - 32).

Graphing the Equation

A slope of - 12 means that for every 2 units we move in the positive horizontal direction, we move 1 unit in the negative vertical direction. m=-1/2 ⇔ rise/run=-1/2 To graph the equation, plot the y-intercept and then use the slope to find another point on the line.